As Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam famously said, “Excellence is a continuous process and not an accident.” Hence, man should continuously strive for excellence in whatever he sets his sights on; only then would success follow. As a result, if you want to establish a successful cybersecurity career, working towards obtaining the acclaimed and widely recognized CISSP certification can help you climb the ranks and attain managerial positions. CISSP Certification, known as the gold standard amongst cybersecurity certifications, is a must-have certificate regardless of whether you are a novice in the IT world looking to delve deeper into the cybersecurity world or an IT security professional in the early years of your career professional trying to advance your career by gaining sophisticated skills, or a seasoned professional trying to grab high-level IT roles within the information security community, then obtaining the (CISSP) certification should be considered. The Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification is the most widely recognized in the Department of Intelligence Security. A CISSP certification demonstrates to potential employers that you possess the skills and knowledge required to safeguard their organization’s sensitive data, as well as other web-based data systems, from unauthorized intrusions. It also shows that you can successfully plan, implement, and manage a capable team of IT security specialists. CISSP-certified individuals are, therefore, a crucial resource for any company concerned with data security. Therefore, you must earn the CISSP certification and establish your reputation if you want to advance and create a space for yourself in the cybersecurity business.
What is CISSP certification?
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), widely known as the gold standard in cybersecurity, is a prestigious information security certification granted by The International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium or ISC2, a charitable organization that has solidified itself as the leading international organization in the discipline.
The (ISC)2 has created the Body of Knowledge (CBK), which is an in-depth compilation of every subject, including the skills, techniques, and practices that a cyber security expert must be familiar with, including CISSP domains. Hence, it can be said that professionals who are certified with CISSP are competent in the eight domains listed below:
CISSP Domains
Domain 1. Security and Risk Management
Domain 2. Asset Security
Domain 3. Security Architecture and Engineering
Domain 4. Communication and Network Security
Domain 5. Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Domain 6. Security Assessment and Testing
Domain 7. Security Operations
Domain 8. Software Development Security
So, what makes a CISSP credential so significant, then? To begin with, the CISSP certification satisfies the IAM Level II/III, IAT Level III, and IASAE Level I/II standards of DoD 8570 for the United States Department of Defense. The CISSP certification was the first in the field of information security to adhere to the exacting standards of ANSI/ISO/IEC Standard 17024.
Having a CISSP certification in your name attests to an information security professional’s capacity to successfully develop, construct, and implement comprehensive security programs. The breadth of the information security professional’s knowledge of the theoretical and applied aspects of cybersecurity procedures and security protocols is attested by this certification. Notably, you may only have other important credentials like CISSP-ISSEP and CISSP-ISSAP only if you are CISSP accredited.
Taking the highly sought-after CISSP test allows you to assess your abilities to some of the industry’s highest standards. The CISSP shows organizations that you have the experience and expertise to work in cybersecurity, and hiring companies want CISSP-certified experts because the exam validates one’s understanding of cybersecurity procedures, and it is recognized that one must have completed official CISSP training in addition to relevant work experience.
CISSP certification eligibility requirements
Not only do you need to pass the CISSP exam, but you also need to meet the educational criteria and have relevant work experience. Candidates need to have at least five years of cumulative, real-world paid work experience in two or more of the eight CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) domains to be eligible for this cyber security courses. A four-year undergraduate degree in a related field or an (ISC)2 recognized credential can be used to satisfy the need for one year of experience.
The following four-step certification process is advised by (ISC)2:
- Ensure CISSP is right for you.
- Register and prepare for the exam.
- Get certified.
- Become an (ISC)2
Who Earns the CISSP?
The CISSP is ideal for experienced security practitioners, managers and executives interested in proving their knowledge across a wide array of security techniques and principles, including those in the following positions:
- Chief Information Security Officer
- Chief Information Officer
- Director of Security
- IT Director/Manager
- Security Systems Engineer
- Security Analyst
- Security Manager
- Security Auditor
- Security Architect
- Security Consultant
- Network Architect
Benefits of CISSP certification
Since a CISSP certification attests to your extensive expertise in all areas of information security as well as your possession of industry-recognized skill sets, it is highly valued by cybersecurity professionals and those working in the IT business. This qualification, therefore, is highly significant and can pave the way for a lucrative profession.
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Increased earning potential
The highest-paid IT experts in the world are those who hold a CISSP certification. Employers are aware of the tough training process, the amount of work experience needed to earn the degree, and the global recognition that comes with it.
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Global recognition
Since the CISSP certification is regarded as the industry’s gold standard in the field of cybersecurity, companies like Google, IBM, P&G, and many more hold CISSP-certified professionals in high regard. CISSP’s endorsement by top companies is one of its many notable benefits. Since CISSP professionals have the knowledge, experience, skill set, and proficiency needed to occupy a particular information security role, hiring managers are continually looking for them.
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Great Career opportunities
There is a significant demand for CISSP-certified employees worldwide since CISSP certification is difficult to achieve; as a result, there are only a few numbers of qualified professionals. There are significantly more individuals seeking the credential than there are holders of it because you need to be fairly knowledgeable to pass the exam.
You can advance to senior positions at prestigious companies and distinguish yourself among your peers as an industry authority by earning the CISSP certification. You can even work on your own as an independent IT security consultant if you have the CISSP certification.
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Perks of (ISC)2 membership
A CISSP-certified professional automatically becomes a member of (ISC)2, which provides them with membership benefits and the ability to network with over 200K qualified cybersecurity experts who are also alumni.
Members receive numerous benefits, including free webinars, networking opportunities, educational savings, global recognition, and invitations to free events.
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Creating Space for New Certifications
After obtaining the CISSP certification, cybersecurity professionals can further their studies. Depending on the specialty you want to focus on, you can pursue a range of professional qualifications after receiving your CISSP certification. The CISSP consists of three concentrations: engineering, management, and architecture. Depending on the route you take, you can start acquiring additional specialized qualifications to increase your marketability on the job market.
